"Thank you so much. This is crazy," Verbinski said, accepting the accolade from Madagascar star Chris Rock. "Someone asked me if this film was for kids, and I don't know, but it was certainly created by a bunch of grown-ups acting like children.

"I just want to thank a real-world chameleon - Johnny Depp - for coming out and playing."

Verbinksi also thanked the movie's artists, studio Paramount Pictures and paid tribute to his "beautiful wife and family, who inspire me every day with their smiles and beautiful laughter.

"It doesn't get any better than this," he concluded.

The 84th Academy Awards continue on ABC in the US and Sky Movies in the UK.